
Last year saw the debut of the Xbox Developer Direct event in January, bringing us inside looks at some of the biggest upcoming first-party games - and the big reveal from the show was the shadow-drop of Tango Gameworks' Hi-Fi RUSH.
Now, it sounds like there's a good chance it'll be returning for January 2024. A rumour about this has been swirling for a week-or-so, and popular Spanish YouTuber eXtas1stv has claimed they've heard something about it as well.
Here's a bit of what they had to say in an update on Twitter (translated via Google):
"Xbox is setting the stage for a new Developer Direct event, following in the footsteps of the successful start of 2023. At this upcoming event, expect fascinating presentations with news about the titles already announced, giving players a look behind the curtain. some of the most anticipated projects (Hellblade, Towerborne...etc).
But here comes the main dish: I am told that during this event, we could witness a new "Shadowdrop" or surprise release, with the game being available at the same event or even several weeks later. It may not be exactly the same as the Hi-Fi RUSH case but we would have something VERY similar from a game with a close release date."
As mentioned, there's a suggestion that we could get another Hi-Fi RUSH scenario at the event in which a game is either released on the same day or fairly soon after the show, although we don't know any specifics about this as of yet.
Keep in mind this is all just hearsay for now, and we don't have concrete details about whether the Xbox Developer Direct will return in January or not. We're obviously going to find out pretty soon either way!
Any ideas on what a potential shadow drop could be if it happens? Give us your thoughts down below.
[source twitter.com]
Comments 23
The shadow drop sounds like wishful thinking. But I suppose Xbox have set the precedent now; so if there isn’t a “surprise” of some sort then people will claim disappointment.
I wouldn’t be surprised if the direct itself returns though; regardless of a shadow drop or not.
Wishing for Crackdown 3 or 4 using unreal engine 5.
Gears Tactics 2 or Halo Wars turn based please.
I'm sure MS will have some show to set up the next 6mnths of their road-map - like they did last year. Their 'E3/Summer Show' set's up the Holiday season with some indication of what's coming in the new year - but we still don't have 'release' dates for 2024.
As for a Surprise drop, I could see STALKER 2 being a possibility - a game expected, but obviously the Studio had a very difficult time in recent years and maybe would benefit from extra 'hype' from the publicity of a Stealth drop after the 'troubles' they have endured during its development.
Even if its not on the day, within a few weeks or so could still have a big impact...
I can see this happening again as currently for MS 2024 has
I’d love there to be another Developer Direct. Here’s hoping for a surprise also.
I think the Game Awards said it all to be honest. The only XGS stuff present was Blade with no release window and Hellblade 2 with the same release window that was present back in June meaning that 2024 is completely unknown in terms of specifics.
Before the existence of Xbox Developer Directs, Microsoft used the Game Awards to set the stage for the lineup early on in the following year if there was anything coming (e.g. Game Awards 2019 had Ori for March 2020 and Gears Tactics PC for April 2020, Game Awards 2016 had Halo Wars 2 for February 2017).
Which pretty much suggests either there's a Developer Direct incoming or early this year is a barren wasteland for XGS.
I am pretty much expecting a new showcase in January. The one last year effectively filled in the blanks for the following 6 months, with the Summer event informing us what to expect for the last 6 months of the year. Therefore, it makes perfect sense to do exactly the same this year. It proved very popular and successful last year, and I therefore entirely expect Microsoft would wish to replicate that this year.
As for the surprise shadow-drop I would love to see the much rumoured Marcus Fenix trilogy remaster to drop. Anything Gears of War related would be very much appreciated, particularly any news about Gears 6.
Hopefully not too much longer to wait and find out...
Last years was amazing. Perfect format for a smaller number of games. And the shadow drop of a new game in this day and age was incredible, as was Hi-Fi Rush itself. More like this!
I’m thinking they'll have a showcase, but I don’t think there will be a shadow drop.
@ZeD dont forget ABK game drops in game pass, new ABK games potentially to announce, Towerborne will be out this year, and maybe some other stuff we don't know about. Also Marcus Fenix collection, Flight Sim 2024, and who knows what else. 2024 is gonna be STACKED, brother.
@J_Mo_Money yeah... 2024 is going to be a big one for Xbox.
I read more into this rumour over on reddit and the shadow drop could be from Double Fine who are working on KILN, which I think I remember seeing in the Dev Diary they did.
@ZeD yeah KILN isn't my type of game but I kept forgetting about Towerborne, which will most likely be one of the earlier releases. I'm hoping Hi-Fi Rush 2 gets an announcement trailer. What a gem of a game. And what i wouldn't give for Costume Quest 3 from Double Fine. I love the first two games.
I'm doubting the shadow drop rumor. Maybe someone like Double Fine has a small Pentiment sized game to shadow drop or there will be a big 3rd party gamepass drop but I am going to go into the show assuming there will not be a shadow drop.
If you go into the show expecting that, you will definitely hate the show if it is not there. This always happens with xbox, where every show and game release is billed as "the most important in xbox history." I lost so much respect for some podcasts that already moved the "most important release in xboxs history" to Hellblade 2. It is simply false, just like it was false for last summers showcase and Starfield.
Hopefully xbox will prioritize managing expectations better in 2024. I don't think Redfall would be as hated if it wasn't shown at like 4 shows and had developer interviews where they overpromised it as much more than a left 4 dead clone which is basically all it was.
Almost forgot about FF14 this year as well. More to look forward to.
@J_Mo_Money we should get an announcement of a release date & footage of the Xbox version this weekend at the FF14 Tokyo event. Open beta mid January-February. So I'd expect a late March early April release. Can't wait.
@BAMozzy I'm more expecting it to be the Series patch for Fallout 4 to shadow drop.
@cragis0001 looking forward to it.
Yes to a January showcase and big yes to any type of Shadow drop! They have so many studios that they could drop a game every 6 months and would not put a dent into their production schedule…
@cragis0001 That's also a possibility but I don't think that would have anywhere near the same impact for MS in particular as its also expected for PS5 too and itt being an 'old' game with 'free' update expected for ALL F4 owners, its not really helping Game Pass, not helping MS sell more hardware/subscriptions and its an 'old' game too.
People consider the Series X launched without any 'games' despite Gears 5 and Hivebusters were 'updated' to Series X versions for 'free'. It had Gears Tactics too as well as Forza Horizon 4 free 'update' - didn't really help MS.
STALKER2 perhaps is at least 'new' and whilst its not quite the same as having their OWN first party Shadowdrop and could still be a few weeks out as well at the time, its also a 'known/confirmed' entity so not quite the same surprise. That's why I would think this over F4, but F4 is certainly a possibility too...
I guess we know exactly soon enough - but I am sure MS will hold a DevDirect (or similar) soon to set their roadmap for the upcoming 6-12mnths
Calling the shadow drop: Quake 3
I don't know about a shadow drop but I'm expecting a show in Jan or Feb. They have so many studio's and are supposed to be releasing a first party title per quarter so they need to have at least 2 shows on-top of the big June one in my opinion each year. Also selfishly I really enjoy the Xbox shows and they are the only ones that i actually watch vs just looking at trailers online afterwards so the more the merrier. Hellblade will be getting a deep dive like Starfield in my opinion at some point this year.
@Grumblevolcano I'm pretty sure they are just at the game awards to stay in the eyes of casual gaming fans. Geoff is a ***** and it's clearly a marketing show with praise for his friends and things he likes with the thin veil of actually being an award show or actually celebrating the industry. It's a big paycheck for him while chilling with his buddies....that is all. I expect the Jan/Feb show to be a standard with just a little bit of stuff at Geoff's shows to say they were there. Cuz I'm sure Phil thinks Geoff is a ***** as well.
The shadow drop could be the next-gen remaster of Fallout 4
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